Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/288975
april 2014 / the tasting panel / 1 1 1 THE BONDED RYE: E. H. TAYLOR RYE THE BLACK BARREL BEAUTY: MOUNT GAY BLACK BARREL RUM Passed in 1897, the Bottled in Bond Act protected consumers from lesser whiskies labeling their bottles with misleading terms and passing as high-quality. Any whiskey, from then on, labeled with "Bottled in Bond" was required to meet specific requirements: aged no less than four years, bottled at 100 proof and distilled by one distiller during the same season. Earning a reputation as the "father of the modern bourbon industry," E. H. Taylor was instrumental in the passing of this act. E. H. Taylor Rye ($92.99) is a sweet, balanced and complex tribute to Taylor and the tradition of Kentucky bourbon. Tony Pharias, bartender at Jade Bar in Scottsdale, explains why he loves this straight rye: "It has lots of layers and complex flavors that make it great to mix with. It's an awesome introduction to rye." Our Panel's Notes: "The cocktail perfectly balances the boldness and spice of the whiskey. It harnesses the boldness and helps develop secondary and tertiary flavors from its array of ingredients." —Travis Nass "This rye is edgy, with big tobacco and rye notes. Then comes the dried figs, apricot and black tea. All these components are masterfully brought out with this cocktail, which softens the 100-proof spirit." — Tyler Crandall For over 300 years, Mount Gay has been making rum on the Caribbean island of Barbados. Their rich history, proximity to coral limestone-filtered water and use of Barbadian "black gold" molasses have assured the distillery to be the oldest continually-operated rum producers on record. Now, Mount Gay and Master Distiller Allen Smith are upping the stakes. Mount Gay Black Barrel ($34.99) is a handcrafted blend of double pot distillate and aged column distil- lates, first aged in toasted bourbon oak barrels, then finished in charred oak bourbon barrels. The result is a smooth, balanced rum. Our Panel's Notes: "The name of this drink, No. 88, supposedly refers to Rihanna, born in Barbados, just like the rum, and her 'lady lumps.' The cocktail lightens up the heavy body of the spirit. On its own, this new 86-proof, small batch expression from Mount Gay is viscous and sappy with burned maple syrup; beautiful cedar and tobacco notes meld with cherry wood." —Brent Karlicek "Beautifully balanced Daiquiri-inspired drink. Between the herbs, fruit notes and texture, the addition of peppercorns and extra cherry expression from the Maurin Quina, makes for one star of a cocktail." —Bill Degroot The Mixologist: Tony Pharias, bar- tender at Jade Bar in Scottsdale. Little Kentucky ◗ 2 oz. E. H. Taylor Rye ◗ ½ oz. Ramazzotti ◗ ½ oz. sweet vermouth ◗ ¼ oz. R&W Apricot ◗ 1 dash Regan's #6 Bitters ◗ 1 dash Angostura Bitters No. 88 ◗ 1½ oz. Mount Gay Black Barrel Rum ◗ ¾ oz. Maurin Quina ◗ ¾ oz. cardamom- peppercorn syrup ◗ ½ oz. lemon juice The Mixologist: Matty Heland, Bartender at Windsor in Phoenix. TP0414_102-132.indd 111 3/21/14 2:53 PM